Band_Groupie

Good luck and keep us posted...nice that you have a friend to go through this with!

Check with your surgeon, but I'm pretty sure he's talking about the larger Lap Band. It holds 14, but 2 of those are in the tubing/port (I've seen others here say the same). The Lap Band is put in with several cc's in it already (usually 2cc's- none of this is in the band, it's in the tubing, so that's probably why he's saying 12). Just ask if he's talking about the Lap Band APL (L=large, 14 cc ttl) or APS (S=standard/small 10 cc ttl). The old Lap Band had 4cc's (no longer in use, but you'll see some here mention it as they had surgery when it was available). The new Realize C only goes up to 11cc (only being tested by a few surgeons now, trial stage), and the old Realize one which is still being used everywhere is 9cc ttl. It is put in empty.

Yeah, I'm pre-band and I'm already trying to mentally prepare for both "bander hell" (post op liquids) and maybe even worse...that period you're going through where you don't have restriction yet and many start gaining again...hang in there; the elusive sweet spot is coming your way! Get lots of protein as it will help with the hunger.

It’s almost 10am and I’m sitting here in my jammies. I just realized I have nothing I HAVE to do today…no appointments, no kids at home (yes, another school holiday yesterday):cheatfree:…I’m alone with nothing that HAS to be done! How often does that happen?:cheatfree: I don’t think I’ve been in this position since before the holidays! Now, what to do? And before you say “Must be nice!” it’s not that I have nothing to do, it’s that I have nothing I HAVE to do. Sure the laundry is calling me, my kitchen floor needs mopping, I’ve got piles of papers sitting in the hobby room that I started filing that are now spread out on the floor, but what to do? Well now that my computer is back from it’s ‘vacation’ after a month, I need to start tracking my food and exercise again (I’ve been catching up on everyone/websites this morning), and I do have phone calls that need to be made…I need to make my appointments with physical therapy (back osteoarthritis), the treadmill, but what to do? No one’s here…maybe I’ll go streaking through the house naked on my way to a bubble bath in the jacuzzi…oh, yeah…I'm still a 'Before'...and there’s that full glass front door I had to have…:Banane37:

It’s almost 10am and I’m sitting here in my jammies. I just realized I have nothing I HAVE to do today…no appointments, no kids at home (yes, another school holiday yesterday)…I’m alone with nothing that HAS to be done! How often does that happen?:ohmy: I don’t think I’ve been in this position since before the holidays! Now, what to do? And before you say “Must be nice!” it’s not that I have nothing to do, it’s that I have nothing I HAVE to do. Sure the laundry is calling me, my kitchen floor needs mopping, I’ve got piles of papers sitting in the hobby room that I started filing that are now spread out on the floor, but what to do? Well now that my computer is back from it’s ‘vacation’ after a month, I need to start tracking my food and exercise again (I’ve been catching up on everyone/websites this morning), and I do have phone calls that need to be made…I need to make my appointments with physical therapy (back osteoarthritis), the treadmill, but what to do? No one’s here…maybe I’ll go streaking through the house naked on my way to a bubble bath in the jacuzzi…oh, yeah…I'm still a 'Before'...and there’s that full glass front door I had to have…:thumbup:

I'm a very open with everything in my life, but made the decision not to tell anyone but DH. By far, the hardest part of this process for me has been putting myself first...or at least on the list. I've managed to do that, but I'm hanging on the top of the list by my toes...I don't need any opinions, drama, guilt to knock me down.

Take it one change at a time. Commit to doing something different each week. Now that you're on liquids, maybe start training yourself to only have 3 meals per day; no snacking-drink lots between meals. Add exercise a little at a time. Know that the band won't be able to help you much until you've probably had several fills, so it's up to you for awhile...one step at a time. You're young, the weight can come off faster if you work at it.

So this morning was my pre-op Cardiac MRI. I was downtown at AGH (hospital) early and after muddling through registration I finally navigated my way through the halls to the right elevator. The hospital must have had a million additions to it over the years…it’s like being a rat in a maze..you know, lab rat…fitting. I finally found myself in the bowels of the earth with no one else around and found the two solid doors that read ‘Cardiac MRI’ waiting room...my luck, they were locked…just about the time I was questioning if I'd made a mistake and came the wrong day I found another door down the hall. Apparently I was the first appointment of the day and the receptionist thought she’d unlocked the door – so apologetic! The people there couldn’t have been nicer. I got changed, hooked up to the equipment and then onto the MRI bed…ready to start. Let me tell you, I had a brain MRI done this fall at a different place as a clearance for putting me on medicine for my migraines (which have mostly disappeared…fabulous!). It was quite the adventure…they had me lay on a bed, then WHAT”S THIS? Without a word they snapped a plastic mask over my face (I felt like Hannibal)…no instructions, no panic button…just “Hold still. This should take about 10 min.” Out they went. That’s it! Suddenly the noises start and the bed moves…WTFlip?:ohmy: Why am I moving? Just when I got used to one noise it would stop…ok…WHIRL, CLUNK, WHIZ…bed moving!:clap: Yea…lay still?? Are you kidding me? How can you lay still when this cacophony of sounds keeps startling me…and couldn’t you warn a girl that the bed will keep moving?!! Thank God there wasn’t a panic button, and only my head and chest went into the machine, and that it only lasted 10 minutes! Geez…give people some warning!:Dancing_wub: So I went this morning with some trepidation. They asked me if my blood pressure is ‘always that high?’ (yea, and I’m on meds). The Tech was so sweet and started telling me about everything that would happen (this is new), but I panicked a little when she said it would take about 45 min. I could hardly handle 10 min. how was I going to make it through 45??!! Now this is different…“pick a radio station and here are your headphones to drown out those awful noises”…smart!...and “I’ll be talking to you and telling you when to breath and when to hold your breath and you’ll hear me through the headphones.”…and the best part “Here’s a ball to squeeze if you need to come out.”…YAY…‘a PANIC BUTTON!’...oh, whoops I just said that out loud!:wink2: The Tech laughed and said, “Well, yes, but we don’t like to call it that as it gives the wrong connotation and might scare people!” OK, lay down, eyes closed…I’m thinking “Go to your Happy Place, go to your Happy Place” and into the tunnel the bed goes. Now, I’ve got to say my hips and my arms were squished a bit against the walls of the tunnel the whole time…and I’m big, but I’m not enormous…I can now see why some here say they had to do this with their arms above their heads (I feel for you!). The music is playing and the Tech starts giving me my breathing instructions with her most soothing voice “In, Out, In, Out, Hold, Breath.” She warned me when the bed would move and the music drowned out a lot of the noise. After awhile I calmed down,:thumbup: just in time for Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” to start playing on the headphones:lol:…it was so fitting that I almost started laughing…almost.:frown: P.S. Got my computer back tonight…all better!

So this morning was my pre-op Cardiac MRI. I was downtown at AGH (hospital) early and after muddling through registration I finally navigated my way through the halls to the right elevator. The hospital must have had a million additions to it over the years…it’s like being a rat in a maze..you know, lab rat…fitting.:cheatfree: I finally found myself in the bowels of the earth with no one else around and found the two solid doors that read ‘Cardiac MRI’ waiting room...my luck, they were locked…just about the time I was questioning if I'd made a mistake and came the wrong day I found another door down the hall. Apparently I was the first appointment of the day and the receptionist thought she’d unlocked the door – so apologetic! The people there couldn’t have been nicer. I got changed, hooked up to the equipment and then onto the MRI bed…ready to start. Let me tell you, I had a brain MRI done this fall at a different place as a clearance for putting me on medicine for my migraines (which have mostly disappeared…fabulous!). It was quite the adventure…they had me lay on a bed, then WHAT”S THIS? Without a word they snapped a plastic mask over my face (I felt like Hannibal)…no instructions, no panic button…just “Hold still. This should take about 10 min.” Out they went. That’s it! Suddenly the noises start and the bed moves…WTFlip?:cheatfree: Why am I moving? Just when I got used to one noise it would stop…ok…WHIRL, CLUNK, WHIZ…bed moving!:eek: Yea…lay still?? Are you kidding me? How can you lay still when this cacophony of sounds keeps startling me…and couldn’t you warn a girl that the bed will keep moving?!! Thank God there wasn’t a panic button, and only my head and chest went into the machine, and that it only lasted 10 minutes! Geez…give people some warning! So I went this morning with some trepidation. They asked me if my blood pressure is ‘always that high?’ (yea, and I’m on meds). The Tech was so sweet and started telling me about everything that would happen (this is new), but I panicked a little when she said it would take about 45 min. I could hardly handle 10 min. how was I going to make it through 45??!! Now this is different…“pick a radio station and here are your headphones to drown out those awful noises”…smart!...and “I’ll be talking to you and telling you when to breath and when to hold your breath and you’ll hear me through the headphones.”…and the best part “Here’s a ball to squeeze if you need to come out.”…YAY…‘a PANIC BUTTON!’...oh, whoops I just said that out loud!:Banane37: The Tech laughed and said, “Well, yes, but we don’t like to call it that as it gives the wrong connotation and might scare people!” OK, lay down, eyes closed…I’m thinking “Go to your Happy Place, go to your Happy Place” and into the tunnel the bed goes. Now, I’ve got to say my hips and my arms were squished a bit against the walls of the tunnel the whole time…and I’m big, but I’m not enormous…I can now see why some here say they had to do this with their arms above their heads (I feel for you!). The music is playing and the Tech starts giving me my breathing instructions with her most soothing voice “In, Out, In, Out, Hold, Breath.” She warned me when the bed would move and the music drowned out a lot of the noise. After awhile I calmed down,:Banane37: just in time for Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” to start playing on the headphones:lol:…it was so fitting that I almost started laughing…almost.:iagree: P.S. Got my computer back tonight…all better!

I'm about to start month 4 of my 6 mo. and am currently 4 pounds above the 35 BMI minimum. I just went to my surgeon's consult and was told I can't go below the 35 BMI at ANY time during my 6 mo., even after the surgeon consult. I have BCBS - Highmark PPO Blue (Western PA). The insurance company can look at the whole period of time since I have weight written on my monthly weigh-in forms (they can look at it all).

Yep, ditto above. Just had my surgeon's consult and I got to select between the Realize or the Lap Band (but not all docs offer both. I chose the LB and he will decide which of the two sizes to use when he sees my innards (not always a correlation to your 'outards'/weight).

Thanks JA, I love getting new recipes for post-op! Thanks! -BG

Welcome to LBT...we've all been 'out of control' or we wouldn't be here...journey on! -BG

Welcome to LBT (and your 'new way of life')!

Yes, my insurance required the diet. For almost everyone that has to submit this, it's either 3 or 6 mo. (that's what they mean when they tell you '6 weights') and then here's the kickers for most ins.: - They have to be CONSECUTIVE MONTHS (and within 2 years of your surgery date). I've seen people here denied for having too many days between them, but some ins. is more forgiving (ie. I was told by the ins. expert at my surgeons office that in our area, mine is the only one who will forgive missing a month if there's a good reason- but I haven't done this). I need to have 6 forms filled out to turn in from the PCP visits. Some accept things like Weight Watchers, but most ins. do not. Ask your ins. if the weigh ins need to be consecutive months. - When you go it has to be for weight loss/exercise plan ONLY. I saw one person here denied for combining this with a sick visit to the Dr., she had to restart the 6 mo. after that...apparently the visits show up as a certain code to the ins. co. so they can see a sick visit vs. a weight loss visit. - The visit must include the Dr. writing down specific information on your form/their notes which includes more than just a weigh in and calorie plan, it must also always include your EXERCISE plan and how you're doing, vitals, BMI, date, sig., etc. I've seen MANY here have to start over because they didn't include the exercise portion. Ask your ins. or the surgeon's insurance person for a form to use so you can gather the information (even if it's from past visits, the PCP can write it on the forms for you with the date and sign them). - I can NOT go below the 35 BMI during my 6 mo. I've seen others here who could (usually after their surgeon's consult) and some that were given an amount to lose (is. 10%). If I go below the 35 at anytime during the 6 mo. I will not be approved. Ask. - When they say 2 comorbidities they are talking only about the 5 biggies (even though most ins. leaves this very vague, like mine listed a few examples...dot, dot, dot. Again, learn what they really want). The 5 biggies are: hypertension, sleep apnea, high-cholesterol, diabetes and obesity related heart issues (some other major items sometimes also count like obesity related cancer). The other things like osteoarthritis, asthma, etc. are just 'helpers' to make your case, but the big 5 are what they're looking for. I haven't noticed anyone getting approved on PCOS as a main comorbid., so I believe that's also a 'helper' but you could ask if that counts as a biggie. So you probably need a second big one to qualify. Have your PCP order a sleep apnea test and ask for a blood test for cholesterol if you haven't lately (and ask if your blood pressure is high). A lot of people here had things they didn't even know about. - Take some time to be careful about submitting anything before you know all your rules...I've seen people here get too impatient and do this and then you're stuck with either trying to appeal (which doesn't work if you got the rules wrong to begin with) or having to wait a certain long period before you can submit again. Know the game before you play it. - Take the rules only from your insurance policy. I have BCBS and it's vastly different from many others policies even within the same state/area...it all depends on what was negotiated with your employer, don't take advice as gospel from others with the same ins. co. unless they work for your employer. Good luck!

Thanks Maggie. Glad it went well. DON'T let the PCP put you off from starting the process. My strongest advice to you is, even if you're 'just thinking about the LB' START THE DIET/EXERCISE WITH THE PCP NOW!!! You can even approach the PCP that way "I'm just considering this now, but I'd like to start the diet/exercise program now as it can't do anything but help me with the diabetes and if I decide on the LB then I'll be that much further ahead." How can your PCP say no to that...they put people on diet/exercise programs all the time? Trust me, if you do decide to get the LB, the 6 mo. program is the hardest part...waiting...especially if you're like me and you can't even really diet for that 6 mo. (I'm on the I'm not allowed to lose weight 6 mo. wait plan now). I went in recently for my surgeon's consult and in answer to my questions about being near the 35 BMI minimum the surgeons insurance lady there told me 'if you're below the 35 BMI then you really wouldn't need the surgery would you?' (translation-insurance won't approve you if you're below it at the time of approval)...so I am now 3 mo. into this and can't lose more than 4 more pounds...wonderful. Oh, also...like you saw in my blog, not only do you need to have diabetes but you ALSO need to be on meds for it (for insurance to count it)...so get yourself on those meds soon...just keep in mind that you'll have a good chance of getting rid of the meds once you lose the weight!!! Hang in there and keep me posted! Let me know if you don't have a surgeon's form on the information the PCP needs to collect at those monthly weigh-in's for the 6 mo., it needs to be more than your weight (I can give you the info.). I'd also suggest you start researching surgeon's in your area and sign up for a free seminar or two (I went to three hospitals), and get a copy of your insurance's bariatric policy...it's a simple phone call and usually they can tell you where to print it out online. None of this is committing you...you can decide whatever/whenever you want, but you won't be wasting months with the PCP like I did (the main Dr. I see at my PCP office didn't think I was a candidate either). I wish I had him start the diet/exercise program the first month I went. Learn from my mistake. -BG Edited to add: just noticed you're in PA...let me know if you're near Pittsburgh like I am and I can give you my hospital info. (OH- ObesityHelp.com has a strong Philly group on the PA forum, but I'm not sure if most of them had the band or RNY...most of them used a Barix Clinic). There's a great group of people on here from PA (all over) also, so if you put your city/state in your title people here will give you info. on potential doctors.

Thanks! Good to know LB isn't that bad. Yea, I never slept so much as when I had the hyster. done (all the drugs did that too--stay ahead with the pain meds, they help); I came home with the catheter still in, which was fun (my Mom came for a few days and she's a nurse). Hope you're feeling better soon; somewhere in the second week I suddenly turned the corner so hang in there. LB won't be until late April or early May...I can't wait!

Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.... Let us know how the approval goes!

"Rollercoaster ride is over!!" Yep...welcome back to the kiddie ride....slow, steady and consistent! Stick with it, you know what to do! Personally...I curse at the treadmill every day and have to remind myself how good I feel about doing it when I get off...it's the small choices we make that add up.

Amen sista! I was watching HGTV and saw Vern Yip giving one of his Deserving Designs to a woman who had lost over 100 pounds 'the hard way' (his words)...I love ya Vern, but this burned me!

Read: HERE Your probably golden- Make sure you're well over the 35 and with most insurances you only need one comorbidity (but some you need more- diabetes counts, knees don't, but it will help your case. Let me know how it goes today!

Personal question (feel free not to answer). If you had your hysterectomy vaginally (like I did) how does the pain compare to getting your LB? I'm thinking the LB will be worse with all those external incisions...but I've been wondering? Feel better!

Well, my computer is still down. The 3rd power cord arrived (Dell) and now it gives me a new error message…grrr! I’ll let Mr.SA deal with it next week (traveling this week) with the guy he gets to fix our computers near his workplace. You don’t realize how much you rely on your computer until it’s gone! I’m supposed to be logging my food intake online, but with limited access, that’s been stalled. I’ve been so busy the last week since I last checked in here. Got DD on Saturday (in a snowstorm and self-navigating several accident detours) from college…it was scary on those steep, ice covered, back roads (I need 4-wheel drive). We saw another accident on the accident detour…truck halfway in a ditch and they were trying to rock it out). DD had 2 Dr. re-check appts. scheduled for Tues. She woke up and was ill/pain Tues. around 4am (so bad she was numb and almost fainted- low blood pressure probably), but we made it to her pre-arranged Internist visit at 8:20am, but now the recheck took a new turn. The Internist ordered 5 new tests and gave her a new med Rx (the pain was short-lived so we’re hoping it wasn’t related and was just an intestinal virus). We flew downtown to Magee Hospital for her 10am re-check appointment only to find out her appointment wasn’t until 1pm (remind me to double-check times with DD…I love my DD). I decided to make the best of it and after MUCH finagling, begging, and phone calls we were able to get 3 of the new tests completed there, 1 started, the rest scheduled for the hospital near her college, and we had lunch in the cafeteria. I think I now know every waiting room and lab at Magee intimately now…we sat in the last one for 2 ½ hours. We didn’t get out of there until after 4pm, so we were stuck in traffic and more snow squalls heading back to college…and we had to pick up some dinner…what a long day. DD was laughing and calling it our ‘Magee Bonding Day’…yeah, I love you honey but, funny…not! The good news is that the test results we have so far are all good news. DS1 had his scoping procedure done yesterday and everything is clear. He was the last of us to go in for this. I was talking to the Gastroenterologist after the procedure and as DS1 was waking up from his ‘twilight’ anesthesia…he hears the Dr. saying ‘return in 3 years’ and DS1 wakes up and yells for all in the recovery room to hear...‘I have to drink all that S#@T again in 3 MONTHS??!!’…lovely language from my 18 year old…don’t you love it when your kids embarrass you?... ‘no honey, it’s 3 YEARS’…he doesn’t even remember it happening. Remind me to thank DH for being away on business all this week. Anyway, it’s all good...the Genetics Counselor said we don’t need genetic testing at this point (great news) and so we don’t have to all go through this again for 2-5 years depending on the person (We’re going professional then…with the prep/process…I’ve got it down pat). Now onto my LB process…I’ve made my Cardiac MRI appointment the surgeon ordered and also my Cardiologist visit. I’m done with all this stuff by mid-February. I’m still a little confused as to how surgery might happen by the end of April. I don’t finish my 6 mo. diet until the beginning of April. I called about the Pre-Op group class I have to take with the Surgeon’s office, which is only offered twice a month, and apparently you can’t schedule that until everything is turned into the insurance co. at which point the surgeon gives me a tentative surgery date. There was also some Lab Work mentioned and I’m not clear when that happens either. I’m thinking it will be early May before surgery…great, I’ll be on that lovely pre-op diet for DH's 50th and my 49 7/8 birthdays the end of April (born on the same day). That’s OK though, DD graduates beginning of May and DS1 the beginning of June. I’m thinking I can schedule between the two as I’ll have a house full of company and parties for both events. If I align this perfectly I’ll have about 3 weeks max. to heal before the second event...and I'm not telling anyone so I have to be 'huggable' by then (hmm…maybe 2 ½ with all the prep work for the huge H.S. graduation party…hmm…maybe more like 2 if they can’t schedule me the day after my company leaves the first time...I'm living in my la-la land again aren't I?). I’d better be one of those Banders who posts ‘Yeah, I was home the same day and was fine..out shopping the next day…back to work the same week’…I’m counting on it or I’m taking your names and comin’ after you!!!